Growth on Foxface Mouth

[Donald7204]

A day or so ago, I noticed a small, white bump on the underside of the lip of my recently added Foxface. I thought nothing of it, but today, it looks as it has grown larger, and out of his mouth completely covering his snout. It has a whitish, pinkish look to it. Could this be an injury/infection? His tankmate is a yellow tang who after a few days of jostling, everything has been settled for a week plus. He seems to still be eating or attempting to eat.

I am attempting to attach pictures, but its not going so well

This is in a reef, so any medications/recommendations need to be reef safe.

As Always, thanks in advance

 

[MrTuskfish]

Does it have a lumpy texture? Similar to cottage cheese or cauliflower....only smaller?

 

[Donald7204]

Yes. Today it's bigger. It almost looks like a tumor. It has probably taken up 50% of his mouth.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Without a pic I cant really be sure, so I''d Google "lymphocystis" and look for a similar pic. There really isn't a typical shape to lympho lumps, but just compare texture.The rapid growth also suggests lympho, it doesn't always grow this fast, but can. Lympho is fairly easy to diagnose. Its a virus and usually goes away with good water, diet, & some time. Its usually harmless; but it can grow rapidly and interfere with a fish's breathing & eating. This sounds like the case; but you can usually remove it with minor surgery. Get a helper to gently, but firmly, hold the fish with a soft towel soaked with tank water. I've just used a fingernail to scrape off lympho growths and have used a small & sharp scissors (cuticle scissors work well) to cut a couple of lympho lumps off fish. Swap the wound with Mercurochrome , let the med soak in a bit, rinse off the area with tankwater, and he should be fine. If this doesn't appear to be lympho; I think a pic would really be necessary.

 

[Donald7204]

Here are a few pics from different angles. I have looked up Lymphocystis and I think that is what it may be. I am nervous to do a "surgery" on a foxface because of the venom, but we will see how that goes. It also says that there is no known cure and that the disease can spread like cancer throughout the fish as well as to others in the tank.

Let me know what you think. Also, if LFS doesnt carry that medicine, any other ideas where to find it fast or something like it?

Thanks

Donald7204

 

[MrTuskfish]

If this is lympho, there is no med that will work. This is true for most viral infections in humans too. It may heal on its own, it usually does. The fish's immune system fights it and good water, vitamins, and diet help too. If you don't do surgery; that's all I can suggest. Also, your first post said any med had to be reef-safe. IMO, there are no reef-safe meds, except Prazi-Pro (a wormer). meds that advertise themselves are not. I'd sure get a QT/HT ready, you'll need it some time and all new fish should be in a QT.

 

[Donald7204]

Thanks so much for all of your help on this. I will post an update.